[sclamb]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamato8 /img/forum/go_quote.gif No sparks are normal unless it is the forth of July in the US, new years in China and other celebrations but not in tubes, no way, no how.

LOL

 

[sclamb]

Quote:

Originally Posted by takezo /img/forum/go_quote.gif i may be wrong, and have been many times, but i think you should just keep using the previous princess and see if anything happens to the sound... and try getting a tube tester to check and see if the rectifier is getting low on emissions unusually fast... for all we know the vast majority of these princesses have sparking issues regardless of amp being used and still not affect the sound quality

Well, the response that I got from Sophia Electric was that there shouldn't be any sparks, so I am happy to use the new one and see if it starts flashing or sparking with use in the amp. If it also starts, then as I said before, everything is going back to Jack for replacement, modification or refund. If it doesn't, then only the original tube is going back fro replacement.

 

[sclamb]

PS. When does my avatar box get updated with 1000+ Member?!

 

[takezo]

i just got home and upon start up of the princess i noticed
something i've neglected till now. both filaments are touching
the "mesh/perforated" housing inside... could that be a reason
for the sparks?

btw, i've got approx. 40hrs. on the princess and it's sounding
better than it has... open with a lively bass region... and
no sparks, yet... and yes, the glass is starting to brown...

 

[sclamb]

Weird how the glass changes colour! Can you take a picture of the tube to show what you mean about the filaments?

 

[takezo]

the filaments are virtually touching the rectangular mesh on the inside.
it may have nothing to do with the sparks, but who knows...
shot on left is focused on mesh, shot on right is focused on the filament wires:

 

[sclamb]

Hmmm. still not sure which bit of the right hand picture I am supposed to be looking at. Sorry

 

[takezo]

the glowing wires are touching the mesh plate about 3/4 of the
way up... ideally the filaments should be in the middle... my guess
is that when a current flows up the wires it's making contact with
the mesh plate possibly igniting a spark... i'm probably off base
cause mine hasn't sparked... yet.

 

[sclamb]

Ah I see. Well, my new one is two days in and no sparks or flashes (yet!)

 

[sclamb]

Day four and had three more switch-ons and still no flashes or sparks. Only got about 30 hours on the tube now, but so far so good!

Had a response from Jack. He is currently discussing things with Sophia and said he would get back to me in a few days.

 

[robinje]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sclamb /img/forum/go_quote.gif Day four and had three more switch-ons and still no flashes or sparks. Only got about 30 hours on the tube now, but so far so good! Had a response from Jack. He is currently discussing things with Sophia and said he would get back to me in a few days.

Great! Please post your response from Jack when you get it. My Sophia hasn't sparked for the past 4-5 days. For a while, it sparked almost every time I turned the amp on. I have no idea if this is significant or not. It still sounds good.

 

[sclamb]

Will do

Interesting that you had sparking and now it has stopped.

 

[sclamb]

I have not had a response from Jack regarding his conversations with Sophia Electric, but I'm now on day eight with the new SE Princess 274B tube and still no flashes or sparks on switch-on

Fingers crossed. I am sure Jack will replace the tube that he supplied if it is faulty (which at the moment appears to be the case), but I am keeping my fingers crossed for this new 274B.

 

[Orcin]

I am glad it is working for you. Let's hope it stays that way and you can get on with enjoying the sound of the amp.

I am very curious about how this unit sounds with the Sophia Princess compared to the WA6 in the same configuration.

 

[sclamb]

I wonder that too. Unlikely that anyone here would have bought both though